Would a Center Pivot Add Tons to My Alfalfa / Grass / Pasture?
Alfalfa, hay, and mixed species pasture crops have a very high demand for water. If you could achieve 1st cutting yield on subsequent cuttings (Generally 30 – 60% of annual yield), would that peak your interest? The following information tries to give you a snapshot of what your hay and pastures need, compared to what mother nature provides. While these crops are a bit more difficult to measure, without a yield monitor, perhaps you should make the effort.
Based on an article by University of Nebraska extension, alfalfa can use up to .5” / day.
The articles key Take Home Point:
Improve your alfalfa irrigation by watering early, with a goal of having at least the top six feet of soil at field capacity at first cutting.
First cutting alfalfa accounts for 30 – 60% of your annual yield.
Start Irrigating Early
At .27” / day that equals 1.89” / Week (Common Peak demand in Michigan Climate)
At 1.89” / Week x 4 weeks = 7.56” / month
Average rainfall in Lansing, MI obtained from the National Climate Date Center is as follows:
May – 3.4”
June – 3.5”
July – 2.8”
August – 3.2”
September – 3.5”
This reflects a deficit of over 4” / mo
About the Author
Pete is the marketing manager for Michigan Valley Irrigation, having joined the company in 2016. He was raised on a dairy farm in western New York and graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in agricultural economics. His entire working career of over 37 years has been involved in agriculture. A farmer helping farmers. When away from Michigan Valley he operates, Joyful Noise Farm, a small livestock and produce farm and spends time with his family.
